Neighbors relieved after arrests in 3-year-old's killing

SOUTH SACRAMENTO, CA - Some South Sacramento neighbors are relieved now that three people are in jail after a drive-by shooting killed 3-year-old Jorge Azios.

Gabriel Quintero, 20; Eric Minjares, 16 and Marcus Weber, 16, surrendered Tuesday. All three were booked on a charge of murder.

The shooting took place on July 4 at Loucreta Drive and Palmer House Drive. The 3-year-old boy was riding in the car with his father, when shots were fired into the car, killing the boy.

"I'm just glad they're in jail. Let's just stop the violence, especially with the babies," said Mercedes Dinkins.

Dinkins just moved to the neighborhood. Her kids were playing with the victim hours before the shooting. She knew that the young boy left with his dad. She learned the next day Jorge was shot.

"I moved from Oakland and I thought I'm gonna try to raise my kids in Sacramento and see how it goes and then I hear this," said Dinkins.

Sacramento County sheriff's detectives are not saying who pulled the trigger.

Deputies say Quintero was a gang member. He was moved to a different cell under protective custody. Court records show Quintero was arrested for fleeing from and evading police. He was also charged with driving under the influence. Court documents say he resisted arrest.

Meantime, for neighbors, the holiday tragedy that took the life of an innocent child is still hard to understand.

"It hit the neighborhood pretty hard. It was kinda empty out here after that," said Alaja Pattio.

Quintero is scheduled to appear for arraignment Thursday afternoon.

No word on when Minjares and Weber will appear in court.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to conact the Homicide Bureau at (916) 874-5057.